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Monday, September 22, 2008

The Publisher/CEO of Supple magazine and I graced the beautiful wedding of Dairo Isaac Ajibola of the Nigeria LNG and his beautiful bride Dr. Florence Olubunmi in Lagos. Over 1, 000 people were at the reception in the spacious Regency Hall behind the Moshood Abiola Gardens in Ikeja, the capital of Lagos state. I used my Motorola camera phone to capture some of the most colourful scenes. I will show them on Wedding Bells later.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Yesterday, one of the First Daughters of America, Jenna Welch Bush had a simple wedding without much publicity. The hubby is Henry Chase Hager. He is a graduate student and son of a former Virginia lieutenant governor.

The White House confirmed that there were only 200 invited guests and close relatives. The Saturday evening wedding was at the family ranch in Crawford, Texas. There was a parade in honor of the couple and Saturday afternnon, the Hager family hosted a barbecue in the nearby town of Salado.

The wedding began at 7:30 p.m. There was a white limestone altar mounted near a man-made lake. Oscar de la Renta designed the wedding gown of beaded organza dress and Jenna's attendants wore cocktail dresses in the colours of wildflowers.

WASHINGTON, May 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript of the radio address by President Bush to the nation:

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Today is my daughter Jenna's wedding day. This is a joyous occasion for our family, as we celebrate the happy life ahead of her and her husband Henry. It's also a special time for Laura, who this Mother's Day weekend will watch a young woman we raised together walk down the aisle.

Mother's Day is a special time for mothers all across America. On this holiday, we pause to celebrate the love and compassion of the women who have raised us, and to thank them for the many years of patience and selflessness. Throughout our lives, mothers are there with an encouraging word, a sympathetic ear, and a tender heart. They set our direction in life, and from time to time they have been known to correct our course.

Like many of you, my life has been blessed by a mother who is a source of unconditional love. Those of us who have been so fortunate are forever in debt to these caring women. So on this holiday weekend, we celebrate all those mothers who help make our country a better place.On this Mother's Day weekend, we think of the mothers who are celebrating this holiday for the very first time. Few blessings can compare to starting a new family. And few bonds are stronger than those between a mother and her newborn baby. This is also a special time for new adoptive mothers, who have welcomed their children into their homes with open arms and an open heart. We wish all these new parents many happy Mother's Days to come.

On this Mother's Day weekend, we think of the many mothers who raised the brave men and women serving our country in uniform. And to those mothers, I offer the thanks of a grateful Nation. Your sons and daughters are defending our freedom with dignity and honor. And America appreciates the sacrifices that your families make in the name of duty.

On this Mother's Day weekend, we remember the mothers grieving a son or daughter lost in the service to their country, as well as the children who have lost a mother in uniform. We share their pride in these wonderful Americans who have given everything to protect our people from harm. Nothing we say can ever make up for their loss. But on this special day, we hold them in our hearts and we lift them in our prayers.

I wish every mother listening this morning a blessed Mother's Day, including my own. And I have a message for every son and daughter listening this morning: Remember to tell mom the first thing tomorrow how much you love her.

Elite Island Resorts, the award-winning Caribbean resort company, has recently noticed a significant increase in inquiries for 08/08/08 destination weddings. Maybe it's because in many cultures, the number eight has been associated with paradise and new beginnings. Buddhists follow an eightfold path to the enlightenment; in Christian symbolism, the number eight represents rebirth; and in Islam, there are eight gates to paradise. Whatever the reason, couples planning a Caribbean destination wedding will find 2008 a lucky year for another reason as well- those who book an all-inclusive premium luxury category honeymoon stay of at least seven or ten nights (depending on the resort) at Elite Island Resorts' Caribbean properties also can enjoy a complimentary, destination wedding package regularly priced at $899.

"Many couples are requesting the date 08/08/08 for their weddings. But with complimentary weddings available all year, any date in 2008 is a happy one. Planning a Caribbean destination wedding with Elite Island Resorts ensures a personalized wedding that is easy to arrange and a great value too. Plus, with our new complimentary personal wedding website, an engaged couple can invite wedding guests to book their travel plans at the click of a mouse," said Janine Hills, director of wedding planning, Elite Island Resorts.

The complimentary wedding package includes a choice of romantic tropical settings for the wedding and reception, wedding cake, bottle of champagne, bridal bouquet and groom's boutonniere, registrar and government fees, on-site wedding coordinator and ceremony fees. All taxes and gratuities are included.

The second-largest independently owned hospitality group in the Caribbean, Elite Island Resorts is known for its eco-friendly, casually elegant resorts, stunning locations, caring, personal service and distinctive, customized Caribbean destination weddings. Its upscale properties include Galley Bay Resort & Spa, St. James's Club and Villas and the Verandah Resort and Spa on Antigua; Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas on Tortola; Palm Island in the Grenadines; and Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort on St. Lucia.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Is a proposal as simple as just saying 'Will you marry me', or 'Will you do me the honour'? According to 32% of brides in the UK, it is, but what did the other 68% have to say?

Recent research carried out by the UK's most popular online wedding guide hitched.co.uk discovered that 'tradition' is not dead. Even though some men still prefer to propose in bed, at the end of a rowdy night out on the town, or by text message (?), the majority of nervous grooms build up the courage to go all out and make it romantic, or at least think they are being romantic.

When asked if there was anything they would have changed about one of the most romantic moments of their lives, several women came back with the clear statement of 'bigger diamond!' On the flip side, some women would have liked a ring to have been produced or even mentioned, rather than just the sentimental words.

- 54% of romantic men still get down on one knee

- 44% of men asked their partners father for permission to marry

- 57% of men shed a tear, or ten, when she said yes

- 65% of women said he could have put more effort & preparation into the proposal

- 25% of couples wait longer than 5 years before taking their relationship that step further

- 23% of women have been proposed to more than once

- 69% of women thought the timing of the proposal in their relationship was perfect

Besides having to fork out for bigger rocks, be more creative, and pick a better moment to propose, it seems as if our grooms still have a romantic mentality. With Valentines Day just around the corner, will anxious men be extra imaginative this year, or being a leap year, tradition permitting women to propose on the 29th of February, will it be the ladies creating an influx of proposals in 2008?

About hitched.co.uk

Receiving in excess of 15 million page impressions and visited by 330,000 unique users a month, hitched.co.uk is the UK's most popular online wedding website.

Established in 1997, hitched.co.uk is now a successful flourishing business driven by visitors and advertisers from across the UK.

Source: Hitched.co.uk

For further information and statistics please contact Francesca Moore on +44(0)8700-112545 or email francesca.moore@hitched.co.uk.